Rifle support for motorized vehicles

ABSTRACT

A device for the support, transport and use of a rifle on a motorized vehicle. The device includes a vehicle attachment plate for fixedly attaching the device to a surface of the motorized vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle. A box frame is connected to the attachment plate which includes a pair of parallel extending swing arms pivotal at their proximal and distal ends to a lower support bracket and rocker bar respectively. A rifle support bracket is provided which is movable from a first rifle storage position proximate the vehicle attachment plate to a second rifle deployable position at a height elevated from the first position while maintaining a constant orientation of the rifle support bracket with respect to the vehicle attachment plate. In addition, the rifle support bracket is selectively rotatable with respect to the rocker bar.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device for the support, transport and use of a rifle on a motorized vehicle such as an all terrain vehicle. The device enables the user to orient the rifle from a first storage position proximate the vehicle to an elevated deployable position by the mere actuation of a single lever. The rifle, in its deployable position can be discharged while remaining on the rifle support bracket of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hunters, sportsmen and even recreational target shooter have expressed the need for a way to store firearms safely while providing convenient and rapid access to them. Such devices are deemed particularly useful by those engaged in off road activities and specifically those employing all terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Sportsmen oftentimes employ ATVs while hunting. Animals are tracked using such motorized vehicles for they are capable of covering terrain not navigatable by other vehicles even SUVs. In doing so, a firearm such as a rifle is ideally supported in a safe condition but which is readily accessible once split second decisions must be made upon confronting the sought after game. Unfortunately, there are few if any devices capable of meeting even some of the needs of such sportsmen.

It has been most common for ATV operators to keep firearms such as rifles in boxes or dedicated cases while transporting over rough terrain. When game is located, the ATV operator must then shutdown the vehicle, remove the firearm from its case, load it, adjust it if necessary and pursue the identified target. During such an operation, the game, upon sensing the operator, would oftentimes flee leaving the sportsman with a loaded rifle and no realistic target to pursue.

It is thus and object of the present invention to provide a convenient device which could both safely transport a firearm such as a rifle in a motorized vehicle, such as an ATV in a way as to make the firearm readily accessible to the vehicle operator much quicker and more conveniently than as suggested by the prior art.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a device which acts to not only transport a firearm in a safe fashion but which is also capable of rapidly presenting the firearm to the ATV driver enabling the sportsman to actually discharge the firearm rapidly and, when appropriate, to do so without stopping motor vehicle operation.

These and further objects will be more readily appreciated when considering the following disclosure and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves a device for the support, transport and use of a rifle on a motorized vehicle. The device comprises a vehicle attachment plate for fixedly attaching the device to the surface of a motorized vehicle, a box frame connected to the attachment plate including a pair of parallel extending swing arms pivotal at their proximal and distal ends to a lower support bracket and rocker bar respectively as the rifle support bracket is moved from a first rifle storage position proximate the vehicle attachment plate to a second rifle deployable position at a height elevated from the first position while maintaining a constant orientation of the rifle support bracket with respect to the vehicle attachment plate and for being selectively rotatable with respect to the rocker bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention partially extended between a storage position and deployable position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention in a stored position.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the device of the present invention in a fully deployable orientation.

FIG. 4 is a back plan view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the device of the present invention in the orientation shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the device of the present invention in its stored position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning first to FIG. 1, device 10 is shown in an orientation between a storage position and fully deployable position in order to illustrate various functional components constituting the present invention. Although a motorized vehicle, such as an ATV, is not shown, FIG. 1 depicts vehicle attachment plate 11 that is intended to append to a suitable vehicle. Generally, such vehicles include a substantially horizontally extending hood member located in front of the driver's seat. Plate 11 can be screwed, riveted, welded or otherwise appended to the vehicle at this position to place a suitable rifle (not shown) in front of the driver noting that when the present device is in its storage orientation, it would not obscure the driver's view of upcoming terrain.

A box frame 35 is shown connected to attachment plate 34. Box frame 35 comprises a pair parallel extending swing arms 13 and 14 (FIG. 2) pivotal at their proximal and distal ends to lower support bracket 15 and rocker bar 16, respectively. In this regard, a comparison should be made between the storage orientation shown in FIG. 2 and the fully extended orientation shown in FIG. 3 in order to appreciate the pivotal motion of box frame 35 and its component swing arm assembly. It should be noted that as rifle support bracket 17 travels from its stored orientation (FIG. 2) through its intermediate position (FIG. 1) and to its fully extended deployable position as shown in FIG. 3, it's orientation remains constant.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to the ability to rotate rifle support bracket 17 about a centrally defined pivot defined by central pivot bolt 18. As shown best in FIG. 3, rocking release handle 19 is oriented to pass within rocker bar 16 and central pivot bolt 18 to prevent rotation of rifle support bracket 17 during storage of a rifle on the device of the present invention. Again, when rotational rocking release handle 19 is pulled to the left in FIG. 3, its shaft pulls from a complementary opening in pivot bolt 18 allowing for the rotation of rifle support bracket 17.

It is an important advantage in practicing the present invention that it be understood that a rifle being supported by a rifle support bracket 17 be deployable without its removal from the present device. As such, in use, an operator would cause rifle support bracket 17 to move from its stored or non-deployed orientation in FIG. 2 through its deployed orientation in FIG. 3 whereupon, if desired, rocking release handle 19 would be caused to pull away from rocker bar 16 enabling rifle support bracket 17 to rotate 90 degrees or more enabling a sportsman to fire directly from the bracket while using the rifle support bracket to act as a stabilizing support to assist in the accuracy of the shot to be fired. In this regard, in order to provide additional flexibility, it is noted that rocker bar 16 is frictionally pivotable about rocker bar pivot bolt 21.

It is also a feature of the present invention that the operator of this device be capable of insuring that when the rifle support bracket is in its stored orientation (FIG. 2), that it remain in that orientation unless positive steps are taken for its release and deployment. To appreciate this aspect of the present invention, reference is made to FIGS. 4 through 6. Specifically, a stiffening bar 22 is shown to be included within box frame 12. As device 10 is moved to its stowable orientation, center pivot bolt 18 moves into position to be captured by receiving port 23 to enhance the stability of the present device. As this occurs, guide pin 25 urges stiffening bar 22 into position to be received in locking engagement at indent 27 as shown in FIG. 5. This orientation is urged through the deployment of spring 26 such that the device of the present invention will remain in its locked position until release handle 3 is urged downward. Once having done so, rifle support bracket 17 is urged to pop up by providing gas cylinder 9 joined at one end to support bracket 37 proximate to attachment plate 34 and at its other end to lower support bracket 15. Obviously, when moving from its deployed orientation in FIG. 3 to its stowed orientation in FIG. 2, gas cylinder 9 provides resistance to the lowering of rifle support bracket 17 as the shaft of gas cylinder 9 withdraws within its gas cylinder housing as shown.

To further increase the stability of the present invention, a vertical stabilizer is provided, best shown in FIG. 3. The vertical stabilizer includes stabilizing bar 30 appended at its lower extremity to lower support bracket 7 and at its upper extremity to stabilizer bracket 1 which, as noted, also is connected to rocker bar 16. In order to further enhance the usability of the stabilizer, stabilizer spring 2 is caused to extend above and below vertical stabilizer bracket 1 maintained in position by spring keeper 31.

As a further embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that rifle support bracket 17 be provided with rifle stock support 5 and rifle barrel support 11. These supports are adjustable along the length of rifle support bracket 17 by providing openings 32 in at least one of the supports and corresponding openings in the top surface of rifle support bracket 17. Suitable pins can be inserted through openings 32 after at least one of the rifle stock support or rifle barrel support members have been positioned appropriately along rifle support bracket 17. Suitable elastic band members 12 can be secured over the rifle stock and rifle barrel once the rifle has been installed upon rifle stock support 5 and rifle barrel support 11 to maintain the rifle in place over rocky terrain.

In summary, what has been presented herein is a support for a firearm, particularly a rifle, which can be appended to an all terrain vehicle and which, in its stored orientation (FIG. 2), does not represent an impediment to vehicle operation as the vehicle operator's line of sight is not impaired. However, when a suitable target, such as wild game is encountered, a hunter can, in one swift motion, pull back upon handle 10 resulting in a vertical rise of rifle support bracket 17 through the biasing of gas cylinder 9. Once handle 19 is pulled, rifle support bracket 17 can be rotated about central pivot bolt 18 enabling the hunter to aim and discharge the supported firearm directly from the present invention. Alternatively, the hunter can disengage the rifle from the stock support 5 and barrel support 11 as needed. In either case, the rifle is readily at the disposal of the hunter located forward of the vehicle cabin thus obviating the need to unpack the rifle from a storage compartment and preparing it for discharge. 

1. A device for the support, transport and use of a rifle on a motorized vehicle, said device comprising a vehicle attachment plate for fixedly attaching said device to a surface of said motorized vehicle, a box frame connected to said attachment plate including a pair of parallel extending swing arms pivotal at their proximal and distal ends to a lower support bracket and rocker bar respectively, a rifle support bracket being movable from a first rifle storage position proximate said vehicle attachment plate to a second rifle deployable position at a height elevated from said first position while maintaining a constant orientation of said rifle support bracket with respect to said vehicle attachment plate and further being selectively rotatable with respect to said rocker bar.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising rotation locking means for selectively preventing rotation of said rifle support bracket with respect to said rocker bar.
 3. The device of claim 1 further comprising elevation locking means for selectively preventing said rifle support bracket from moving from said rifle storage position.
 4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a gas cylinder for hydraulically urging said rifle support bracket from said first position to said second position upon release of said elevation locking means.
 5. The device of claim 1 further comprising an vertical stabilizer.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said vertical stabilizer is positioned to bridge said lower support bracket and vertical stabilizer bracket appended to said rocker bar.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said vertical stabilizer comprises a stabilizer bar, stabilizer spring and spring keeper assembly.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said rifle support bracket further comprises a rifle stock support and rifle barrel support.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein at least one of said rifle stock support and rifle barrel support are slidably adjustable on said rifle support bracket to receive rifles of varying lengths.
 10. The device of claim 8 further comprising means for selectively securing said rifle to said rifle support bracket proximate said rifle stock support and barrel support.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said means for selectively securing said rifle to said rifle support bracket comprises elasticized cord releasably appended to said rifle support bracket.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein said motorized vehicle comprises an all terrain vehicle.
 13. The device of claim 1 wherein said rifle is capable of being discharged while remaining within said rifle support bracket. 